There's something about the way the sun rises over the mountains; radiant with hues of orange, pink, and gold. There's something about the way the valley lights up and the night sky gives way to morning bliss.
El Shaddai, our home for the month, is snuggly situated on top of a mountain. We are secluded from the world, but surrounded by the earth: strong, smooth mountains, a deep valley, and the winding stream of steady waters. Sunrises are phenomenal. God knew what he was doing when he ever so prophetically placed a massive rock on the edge of our mountain top. That rock has become our place of worship, prayer, deep talks, and a place to admire our Creator's artwork each day. It never gets old.
There's something about the feeling of a sleeping baby tied to your back, feeling each little breath rise and fall. There's something about the big, white, contagious smile that constantly appears on precious little faces.
The baby house has become my second home this month. Each morning I am greeted with smiles, shouts of "Kada! Kada!", and hugs with running starts. When our afternoon break hits, I can usually be found inside the gate of the baby house yard, chasing little ones and pushing them on the swing. God ministers to me so much in those moments. Child like faith, innocence. I truly love each set of dirty little hands and feet, each rice covered face, each giggling bundle of joy. I know that God loves them more. Is this a taste of what motherhood feels like?
There's something about those moments of clarity for my little buddy, Siphe. There's something about the way she grabs my hand while she walks. There's something about the way she loves so well.
We've each been given buddies for the month. Everyday after school, we meet up with them to work on homework, play games, and just to give them one on one attention. My buddy Siphe is ten years old. Much of our time together is spent working on math- her most difficult subject. While mature, wise, and kind, there is still such a young innocence to Siphe. I feel it in the way she sometimes still sucks her thumb. I feel it in her grabbing my hand as we walk places together. And then there are those moments when she joins me in the baby house, carrying around Brian, who has Cerebral Palsy. She is so good with him, she's a natural.
There's something about the way the sun makes a 360 degree shift, setting below the majestic mountains. There's something about worshipping our God under a star filled sky.
As daylight retreats and the moon illuminates the night sky, the stars begin to appear. After dinner we round up all thirty four women and head to our rock. There we worship our God. We thank him for the day, for this incredible life we get to live, and for his unending love. Shouting God's goodness from mountaintops has never felt so real, so raw, so good.
